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Keeping Benitez akin to a magic trick, says ex-Newcastle chief

Date published: Saturday 28th May 2016 11:09

Former Newcastle chairman Freddy Shepherd believes current owner Mike Ashley has “pulled a rabbit out of the hat” by persuading Rafael Benitez to stay on as manager following the club’s relegation to the Championship.

Spaniard Benitez replaced Steve McClaren in March but failed to keep the Magpies in the Premier League.

However, Newcastle finished the season with a stunning 5-1 win at home to Tottenham, who had spent the majority of the campaign battling for the title, and that result offered hope the club could bounce back at the first attempt.